Germany rules against can deposits

In Germany, the Dusseldorf administrative tribunal has ruled that the planned introduction of compulsory deposits on drink cans does not comply with the law on waste and recycling, according to a report in Die Welt​.

The administrative tribunal concluded with the opinion that a decision on the proposed new law should be taken directly by the national government, and that a decree is insufficient.

So far, 35 businesses in the drinks, packaging and trading sector have lodged complaints against the plan to impose deposits on drink cans, claiming that the ruling will be too expensive to implement within the allocated time-frame. The German chamber of trade and industry DIHK describes the court decision as a setback for the government. An appeal against the decision is possible.

The move comes as proposals for an EU directive on the recycling of packaging received cool receptions from food and drink manufacturers throughout Europe. In particular, the UK industry has voiced its concerns through the Food and Drink Federation claiming that the directive is too much, too soon.

Many small- to medium-sized food and drink companies throughout the European Union claim that the necessary investment to implement such recycling objectives could jeopardise the future of their businesses.

The results of the appeal in Germany will come as good news to food and drink manufacturers across Europe who are currently appealing against the proposed EU recycling plans, which will require many companies to recycle 65 per cent of their packaging. The current EU regulation stipulates that companies in the leading EU countries should recycle 25 per cent of the packaging they produce.